The Glorious Revolution, John Locke and the Declaration of Independence
Being American, we like to consider ourselves unique. In some cases this assumption isn't justified, but we are unique in the sense that we were the first country founded on ideas. This weeks' readings are intended to help you understand what those ideas are and how they were incorporated into the country's founding document: the Declaration of Independence.
The background takes us to 17th Century Britain, and the conflict between the Stuart monarchs and parliament. The conflict is more nuanced that this, but a central dispute between the two was whether the king's authority rested on divine right -- which made him the embodiment of the law -- or whether political authority rested with the people -- meaning that the king had to abide by the law, just as you and I have to. The conflict was eventually solved when James the Second was deposed in favor of William and Mary who were allowed to assume the crown only after signing the Declarartion of Rights, and recognizing certain limits to their powers. For example, they needed parliamentary approval to collect taxes, or have a standing army in times of peace.
The idea that the people were the appropriate basis of political authority was rather new however and needed a philosophical justification. John Locke developed the theory justifying popular government, and it is contained in his Second Treatise on Civil Government. The argument provided the starting point for the justification for the American colonists' break with Britain, as well as the Texas colonists' break with Mexico.
Write at least 150 words on each of the following topics:
1 - What compromises did William and Mary make in order to assend to the British Crown?
2 - Outline John Locke's argument regarding the state of nature.
3 - Describe how Locke's argument is incorporated into the Declaration of Independence of both the United States and Texas.
Week Two
The Glorious Revolution, John Locke and the Declaration of Independence
Being American, we like to consider ourselves unique. In some cases this assumption isn't justified, but we are unique in the sense that we were the first country founded on ideas. This weeks' readings are intended to help you understand what those ideas are and how they were incorporated into the country's founding document: the Declaration of Independence.
The background takes us to 17th Century Britain, and the conflict between the Stuart monarchs and parliament. The conflict is more nuanced that this, but a central dispute between the two was whether the king's authority rested on divine right -- which made him the embodiment of the law -- or whether political authority rested with the people -- meaning that the king had to abide by the law, just as you and I have to. The conflict was eventually solved when James the Second was deposed in favor of William and Mary who were allowed to assume the crown only after signing the Declarartion of Rights, and recognizing certain limits to their powers. For example, they needed parliamentary approval to collect taxes, or have a standing army in times of peace.
The idea that the people were the appropriate basis of political authority was rather new however and needed a philosophical justification. John Locke developed the theory justifying popular government, and it is contained in his Second Treatise on Civil Government. The argument provided the starting point for the justification for the American colonists' break with Britain, as well as the Texas colonists' break with Mexico.
Readings:
- The Glorious Revolution
- The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America
- The Declaration of Independence of Texas
- John Locke's Second Treatise on Civil Government. Click here for the Wikipedia site.
Assignments:
Write at least 150 words on each of the following topics:
1 - What compromises did William and Mary make in order to assend to the British Crown?
2 - Outline John Locke's argument regarding the state of nature.
3 - Describe how Locke's argument is incorporated into the Declaration of Independence of both the United States and Texas.
Due March 29
email your answers to me.